One thing I love about the British regional tours (the UKIPT, the GUKPT and their smaller rivals) is the mix of players you meet. In the big international events, you get 5,000 interchangeable internet whizzkids and a few nutty poker celebrities. In the smaller local events, you meet real people.

On Day One of the UKIPT Nottingham, an old fellow next to me talked cheerily about how much he was looking forward to playing golf the next day.

"What about Day Two of this?" I asked. He roared with laughter. That's my kind of opponent.

A younger fellow on my left – this one more of your modern super-pro – was discussing online multi-tabling. He plays dozens of cash games at once, with a series of "rakeback" deals so he pays no charges. He explained to everyone how to play a short-stack strategy, sitting on 25 tables with 30 big blinds, folding or moving all-in with a specific range of hands.

"I've only played online once," remarked the old guy. "I didn't like it. Couldn't work out all the buttons."

"Oh, yeah, it's very complicated," said another youngster, rolling his eyes.

"It's just boring," said the old chap. "I fell asleep halfway through, didn't wake up until 1am."

The other players exchanged amused glances, looking back at him as a pride of lions might regard a plump gazelle with a sprained ankle.

"Was the tournament finished?" I asked.

"Oh no," said the old geezer. "There were 19 left. So I thought I'd better play properly. Won it. $8,500."

If poker teaches you anything, it is: look harder before you draw conclusions. The following day, knocked out of the tournament, I saw the old chap returning with huge chips.